The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-02

ISV6ai6u, anu COL1S 10 an experimental
knowledge of its truth, we must needs
cherish the teachable spirit, the hum
ole Ieverent attitude of the sincere
seeker prepared to receive and prepared
to learn. There is no better way to
reach the truth than to be prepared to
receive it when the truth comes.
The necessity of this age is the re-
ception and application of the principle
which we may express by saying that
sympathy is necessary to insight in
matters of religious opinion and ex-
perience. The Christian religion de-
mands this sympathy in the soul of the
seeker after its truth. 1t must have
it in order to the successful presenta-
ton of its own sanctions and claims.
In view of this we may see how unjust
and one-sided is much of the criticism
which is offered in regard to religion.
There are those who scorn Christianity,
who have only snee1 for it's advocates
and believers, who care not to under
stand its foundations of power and con-
ISOLATION, who sit in judgment upon
Christianity and pronounce decisions
adverse to its claims and interests from
the purely partisan standpoint of unbe-
lief-an unbelief that has no sympathy
with it, and that clearly prejudices the
whole system on grounds apart from
its historic character and the evidence
which it presents in favor of it's own
claims. To such unbelievers cannot
come, by reason of their attitude, many
of the grandest and noblest of the teach
ings of the religion of Jesus Christ.
1.-The scorner seeketh this wisdom and
indeth it not" while the knowledge
the great knowledge-''is easy to him
that understandeth."
We rest our claims for Christianity
on the practical value which it has de-
veloped in its relations to mankind
On this account it requires, indeed de-
mands, as an act Of simple justice to
itself, that it be discussed in the spirit
Of its great founder and teacher. It
has nothing for those of the censorious,
narrow and illiberal spirit, who come to
it with the purpose of mocking its veri-
ties, making light of its sanctions. 1t
deserves better treatment at the hands
of its foremost opponents than it has
ever yet received.
Its enemies need to refresh their
memories of what it has done for man.
kind, and thus be changed into better
spirit. Rev. DR.. Paxton, (Presbyterian)
in discourse recently delivered in his
church in New York City, has well
stated the claims of Christianity to the
best regards of the world. He observes:
1.-THE gospel shows Christ's concern
''for the well-being Of men, reveals
"the fact that he dispensed bounty and
"breathed hope; first preached philan-
trophy and then practiced it, and he
''who scorns Him, scorns the best friend
(which the body as well as the soul of
imam has ever found in this world"
DR.. Paxton continues: christianity
''has made this world decent and de-
''lightful place to live in. 1t shares its
'.loaf as well as its faith with every
imam. If you point to the hospital of
1.-The lepers, as great Frenchman re-
marked, Christianity follows; if you
''speak of the Hottentots, Christianity
''listens if the cry comes up that the
''poor lack bread, Christianity is the
''frst to respond; if tyrants Cypress,
christianity has even dared to draw
''the sword; if wrongs are to be re-
dressed, Christianity has uttered its
protest, and has been foremost in de-
'manding justice and Judgment"
1t is this benefcent system, glowing
in the splendor of its achievements, and
radiant with promise for the future of
our race, that is presented for the con-
judgment of mankind; that is
submitted for the approval of all who
come to its investigation pervaded with
the desire to know the truth as the truth
is revealed. Those who would study
it's claims are required to come to its
in sympathy, with its own
benefcent purpose for mankind. To
all who thus come, willing to see and
to learn, with the sympathy necessary
to insight, the fulness of the glory will
be revealed. The response will come
as of old, Lord, to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of Eternal Life"